Solid composition for treating water

ABSTRACT

Solid water treatment compositions are provided comprising (a) a halogen-containing source; (b) a boron-containing source; and (c) a polyphosphate-containing source. Methods for their use are also provided.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/856,422, filed on Nov. 3, 2006, andentitled “SOLID COMPOSITION FOR TREATING WATER”, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a solid composition fortreating water, e.g., swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, toilets, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to insure that the water in, for example, a pool or spa, issafe, it must be properly sanitized to prevent any health problemsarising due to such contaminants as, for example, algae, bacteria, orany other pathogens which may be in the water. Thus, it is the goal ofany owner or operator of recreational water bodies, swimming pools,spas, hot tubs or the like to provide water which is safe and properlysanitized. To this end, the owner or operator may choose from a widevariety of biocidal chemical systems to ensure that a biocidallyeffective amount of a water-treating agent is present in the water bodyon a continuous basis.

The more commonly used biocidal agents are halogen-containing biocides.The halogen is typically chlorine and can be in a number of differentforms, e.g., chlorine gas, alkali metal hypochlorites, alkaline earthmetal hypochlorites, halogenated hydantoins and chlorinated isocyanuricacid analogues. Representative examples of such halogen-containingbiocides include sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach), calciumhypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanurates, etc. Whenany of these materials interact with water, they undergo hydrolysis toform free chlorine consisting predominantly of hypochlorous acid (HOCl),which is the sanitizing agent, and hypochlorite ion.

Chloroisocyanuric acids (also known as chloroisocyanurates) arestabilized organic chlorine compounds. Examples of such chlorinecompounds are sodium or potassium dichloro-s-triazinetrione (commonlyknown as dichlor) and trichloro-s-triazintrione (commonly known astrichlor, or TCCA). Both dichlor and trichlor are used for treatingwater bodies. When rapid chlorine delivery is desired, dichlor iscommonly used due to its greater solubility whereas trichlor is commonlyused when a slow and sustained release of chlorine delivery is desiredfor a longer period of time due to its lower solubility. Generally,trichlor is compressed into a tablet form for ease of application anduse which further slows and prolongs the release of chlorine to thewater source.

It is common practice to blend other performance enhancing chemicalswith the halogen-containing biocides to provide multifunctionality tothe compositions which is highly desirable for use in water treatmentapplications. Examples of such performance enhancing chemicals includealgicides, algistats, flocculants, scale inhibitors, water softeners,dissolution control aids, chelants, tabletting aids, binders, colorants,and fragrances.

It is well known to combine a boron source material such as boric acidor borax with trichlor along with other additives such as a non-halogenoxygen donor material or glycoluril. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,478,482; 5,514,287 and 5,670,059. The addition of a boron source to achlorine source such as trichlor has typically been used by the industryfor the purpose of providing algistatic properties in addition tolowering the cost of the composition. However, one problem associatedwith this combination is that the compressed solid composition has apropensity to dissolve at a faster rate than trichlor itself. See, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,314. This rapid dissolution of the chlorine sourcesuch as trichlor is generally undesirable and inconvenient since usersare then required to add the compositions more frequently to maintainthe desired level of residual chlorine in the water. Another problemassociated with this combination is that boron sources are known topromote the chlorine off-gassing in a trichlor formulation.

Trichlor is also known to be formulated with dissolution aids toincrease the speed of dissolution. Examples of such dissolution aidsinclude salts such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonatesalts, including sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassiumcarbonate and calcium carbonate as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,318.U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,317 teaches the use of alkali metal salt of1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triones as a dissolution accelerant for trichlor.

Another performance enhancing additive that is commonly added to atrichlor composition is polyphosphates. It is also well known that theaddition of a polyphosphate softens the water and helps minimize thescale build up on pipes and heat exchangers. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.3,488,420.

However, there are drawbacks to using many of these additives. Most ofthese functional additives are highly water soluble and tend to makesuch trichlor compressed solid compositions dissolve faster than thatmade from trichlor alone. Trichlor products also give off chlorine gasand in combination with some of these additives also impart chemicalinstability in the final formulation which is of concern for sale on acommercial level.

A need therefore exists for improved solid water treatment compositionscontaining a halogen-containing source such as a chlorine source fortreatment of water without affecting dissolution while reducing halogenoff-gassing, e.g., chlorine off-gassing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a solidwater treatment composition is provided comprising (a) ahalogen-containing source; (b) a boron-containing source; and (c) apolyphosphate-containing source.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, aprocess for preparing a solid water treatment composition is providedcomprising (a) dry blending (i) a halogen-containing source; (ii) aboron-containing source; and (iii) a polyphosphate-containing source;(b) granulating the blend into granules; and (c) tableting the granules.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, aprocess for preparing a solid water treatment composition is providedcomprising (a) dry blending (i) a halogen-containing source; and (ii) apolyphosphate-containing source; (b) granulating the blend intogranules; (c) blending the granules with a boron-containing source; and(d) tableting the blended granules.

In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, amethod for controlling microbial growth in a water system is providedcomprising adding to the water system a solid water treatmentcomposition comprising (a) a halogen-containing source; (b) aboron-containing source; and (c) a polyphosphate-containing source.

In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor reducing the halogen off-gassing rate in a solid water treatmenthalogen-containing composition is provided comprising forming a solidwater treatment halogen-containing composition comprising (a) ahalogen-containing source; (b) a boron-containing source and (c) apolyphosphate-containing source.

The solid water treatment compositions of the present inventioncontaining a halogen-containing source, a boron-containing source and apolyphosphate-containing source advantageously possess a dissolutionrate relatively similar to solid water treatment compositions containinga halogen-containing source alone. Additionally, the solid watertreatment compositions of the present invention significantly reduce thehalogen off-gassing, e.g., chlorine off-gassing, during use. In thismanner, a longer lifespan of the solid water treatment compositionsduring use can be achieved while also reducing halogen off-gassing. Thisis particularly advantageous as chlorine off-gassing can lead to labelfading, bleaching of bottles, pails and lids, and the degradation ofcardboard. Furthermore, the odor associated with halogen off-gassing isunpleasant to the end-use consumer and absorbent sachets are typicallyco-packed with the end-use product to help mitigate this effect at anadditional cost of material and labor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bar graph showing the dissolution rates of a trichlortablet, trichlor and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) tablet and a tabletaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing the dissolution rates of boric acid on atrichlor tablet.

FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the dissolution rates of boron compoundson a trichlor tablet.

FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the off-gassing rate of a trichlor tabletand a tablet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides solid water treatment compositions andmethods for the treatment of a variety of water systems. For example,the solid water treatment compositions and methods of the presentinvention are useful for the treatment of such as water systems ascooling towers, evaporative condensers, swimming pools, hot tubs, spasand toilets. The solid compositions are readily adapted for use in theseand other environments. In one embodiment, a solid water treatmentcomposition contains at least (a) a halogen-containing source; (b) aboron-containing source; and (c) a polyphosphate-containing source. Thesolid water treatment compositions can be in any suitable solid form,e.g., tablet, powder, or a stick

The halogen-containing source is any compatible halogen material usefulin solid form. Suitable halogens include chlorine or bromine, and may beany solid-form material which provides the halogen in the form ofhypohalite ions, i.e., hypochlorite or hypobromite ions, or ashypohalous acid. For example, the halogen containing source may includevarious chlorine compounds including chlorinated hydantoins, calciumhypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione,potassium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, trichloro-s-triazinetrione and thelike and mixtures thereof. Suitable bromine compounds include brominatedhydantoins. Representative examples of halogenated hydantoins include1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH),1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantion (DCDMH),1,3-dichloro-5-ethyl-5-methylhydantoin,1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantion (DBDMH) and the like and mixturesthereof.

In one embodiment, the halogen-containing source is dichlor, trichlorand mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the halogen-containingsource is trichlor. In one embodiment, the halogen-containing source isa N-halogenated compound such as halogenated triazinetrione andhalogenated hydantoin as discussed above and the like and mixturesthereof.

The boron-containing source is any suitable boron compound or mixturethereof. For example, the boron-containing source can be boric acid,boric oxide (anhydrous boric acid), compounds having the formulaMnB_(x)O_(y).ZH₂α, wherein M is any alkali earth or metal/non-metalliccation, e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and ammonium, n is 1to 3, x is any whole number from 2 to 10, y is (3x/2)+1, and z is 1 to14, and the like and mixtures thereof. Representative examples ofcompounds having the formula MnB_(x)O_(y).ZH₂O include disodiumtetraborate decahydrate, disodium tetraborate pentahydrate, disodiumtetraborate tetrahydrate, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpentaborate pentahydrate, sodium metaborate tetrahydrate, sodiummetaborate bihydrate, dipotassium tetraborate tetrahydrate, potassiumpentaborate tetrahydrate, diammonium tetraborate tetrahydrate, ammoniumpentaborate tetrahydrate and the like and mixtures thereof.

The polyphosphate-containing source is any suitable polyphosphatecompound or mixture thereof. Representative examples of polyphosphatesinclude alkali metal polyphosphates such as sodium hexametaphosphate. Inone embodiment, the polyphosphate-containing source is one or more ofsodium hexametaphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphateor sodium pyrophosphate.

In general, the solid water treatment compositions of the presentinvention will contain from about 65 to about 98 weight percent andpreferably from about 85 to about 95 weight percent of thehalogen-containing source, from about 0.2 to about 2.5 weight percentand preferably from about 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent of theboron-containing source and from about 1 to about 10 weight percent andpreferably from about 4 to about 7 weight percent of thepolyphosphate-containing source, based on the total weight of thecomposition.

The solid water treatment compositions of the present invention can alsocontain one or more conventional additives as known in the art. Suitableadditives and the amounts to use may be readily determined by oneskilled in the art. Examples of such additives include, but are notlimited to, a clarifier, algaecide, algistat, tableting aids, coloringagents, dyes, fragrances and the like and mixtures thereof.

The solid water treatment compositions can be formed into any suitablesolid form, e.g., tablets, pack or a stick. Tablets containing thecompositions according to the present invention may be produced by anystandard tabletting technique, e.g. by wet granulation, dry granulationor direct compression. Blending and granulating of the tabletconstituents during the preparation of a tablet composition may beaccomplished by any method which causes the composition to becomeblended. Once the tablet compositions are prepared, they may be formedinto various shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the tablet compositionsare pressed into a shape. This process may involve placing the tabletcomposition into a form and applying pressure so as to cause thecomposition to assume the shape of the surface of the form with whichthe composition is in contact. Examples of presses which can be used tocompress the tablet compositions of the present invention includehydraulic presses such as a Carver Press and the like or mechanicalpresses such as a Baldwin press and the like.

In one embodiment, the solid water treatment compositions of the presentinvention is prepared by (a) dry blending (i) a halogen-containingsource; (ii) a boron-containing source and (iii) apolyphosphate-containing source; (b) granulating the blend intogranules; and (c) tableting the granules.

In another embodiment, the solid water treatment compositions of thepresent invention is prepared by (a) dry blending (i) ahalogen-containing source; and (ii) a polyphosphate-containing source;(b) granulating the blend into granules; (c) blending the granules witha boron-containing source; and (d) tableting the blended granules.

In the water treatment method of this invention the one or more solidwater compositions as described above are inserted into the water bodyto be treated whereby the tablet dissolves over time.

The following examples are provided to enable one skilled in the art topractice the invention and are merely illustrative of the invention. Theexamples should not be read as limiting the scope of the invention asdefined in the features and advantages.

The general procedure for all examples was as follows. Tablets weighingabout 6 ounces (oz.) and 8 oz. were manufactured on either a laboratoryor commercial press, e.g., a hydraulic press such as a carver press or amechanical press such as a Baldwin press. The compression time andpressure were controlled to yield tablets that had crush strengthssimilar to commercial trichlor products with similar dimensions andmass. All tablets were made having a 3″ diameter.

Comparative Example A

Trichlor tablets were prepared by compressing trichlor in granular forminto 8 oz. tablets on a commercial press.

Dissolution tests were then carried out to determine the dissolutionrate of the control tablet of this example. The test results are setforth below in Table 1 and in FIG. 1. The dissolution test was carriedout as follows.

Dissolution

Tablet dissolution rates were monitored in a 5,000 gallon (19,000 L)pool equipped with two skimmers that are typically used in swimmingpools. Flow rates through the skimmers were maintained at 20gallons/minute (76 L/min), unless otherwise noted. The pump run time was10 hours/day to maintain water flow through the skimmers. The pooltemperature was maintained at 85° F. (or 26.7° C.). In one study, theskimmer basket was charged with one tablet each of Comparative ExampleA, Example 1 and Comparative Example B. In another study, the skimmerbasket was charged with one tablet each of Comparative Examples C-E. Inanother study, the skimmer basket was charged with one tablet each ofComparative Example F-H.

The initial tablet weight was determined before placing the tablet inthe skimmer. The skimmer basket was removed every 24 hours from theskimmer and the tablet was gently patted dry and weighed. Also, theskimmer basket was periodically rotated every 24 hours by 180 degrees toexpose the tablets to the similar water flow conditions in the skimmer.Throughout the course of the study, the pool water was maintained at apH of 7.2 to 7.8, total alkalinity of 100 to 175 ppm, and calciumhardness of 175 to 300 ppm.

TABLE I Dissolution of Trichlor (8 oz. Tablet) Tablet Weight, g 0 hr 24hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs Study 1 230.00 162.46 94.29 33.66 9.19 Study 2235.56 174.69 107.72 50.23 4.80 Study 3 234.69 148.66 79.62 34.20 9.66Avg. 233.42 161.94 93.88 39.36 7.88

Example 1

A compressed tablet was prepared from trichlor (94 wt. %), sodiumhexametaphosphate (SHMP) (6 wt. %), boric acid (BA) (0.75 wt. %) andpigment (Orcolite Blue) (0.2 wt. %). First, trichlor and SHMP wereblended together and then compressed and comminuted to provideco-compacted granules. The co-compacted granules were blended with BAand pigment in a V-blender and then subsequently compressed into 8 oz.tablets on a commercial press. Note that the total amount of ingredientsin this composition exceeded 100% on weight basis.

The tablets were then subjected to the dissolution test discussed above.The test results are set forth below in Table II and FIG. 1.

TABLE II Dissolution of Trichlor with SHMP and BA (8 oz. Tablet) TabletWeight, g 0 hr 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs Study 1 219.33 147.92 92.5147.83 26.29 Study 2 222.24 162.38 98.03 56.53 24.99 Study 3 227.35132.18 74.74 42.75 23.12 Avg. 222.97 147.49 88.43 49.04 24.80

As the dissolution data show, the tablet of the present invention has adissolution rate similar to the trichlor tablet of Comparative ExampleA.

The test results of Table II are unexpected and contrary to what hasbeen reported thus far in the prior art that trichlor compositions witha variety of water soluble additives increase the dissolution rate oftrichlor tablets. The tablet of Example 1 containing trichlor, sodiumhexametaphosphate and boric acid possessed similar dissolutioncharacteristics to the tablet of Comparative Example A containingtrichlor alone.

Comparative Example B

A solid compressed tablet was prepared with trichlor (94 wt. %) and SHMP(6 wt. %). Using the general procedure described above, the tabletingredients were blended, compressed and comminuted to provideco-compacted granules that are tableted into 8 oz. tablets on alaboratory press. The blend was compressed into 8 oz. tablets on acommercial press.

The dissolution rate of these tablets was determined as described above.The test results are set forth below in Table III and FIG. 1.

TABLE III Dissolution of Trichlor with SHMP (8 oz. Tablet) TabletWeight, g 0 hr 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs Study 1 228.42 143.39 80.5623.28 1.78 Study 2 232.1 158.33 94.01 28.18 0.00 Study 3 227.1 138.3764.93 21.21 1.52 Avg. 229.18 146.70 79.83 24.22 1.10

As the dissolution data show, the tablet of Comparative Example Bcontaining trichlor and SHMP has a faster dissolution rate than thetablet of Comparative Example A containing trichlor alone. This findingis in contrast to the results reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,420 whichshows the addition of sodium hexametaphosphate to trichlor results in atablet with a much slower rate of dissolution.

Also, a comparison of the tablet of Comparative Example B with thetablet of Example 1 showed that addition of boric acid to the granularcomposition of trichlor and sodium hexametaphosphate tablet decreasedthe rate of dissolution of the tablet (FIG. 1).

Comparative Examples C-E

This example shows the effect of boric acid on the dissolution of atablet containing trichlor. For these experiments, three 6 oz. tabletsof the following compositions were made in the laboratory.

Comparative Example C

Trichlor tablet: Trichlor alone (100 wt. %) in granular form wascompressed into a tablet on a laboratory press.

Comparative Example D

Trichlor (95 wt. %)+BA (5 wt. %) tablet: The materials were blended andcompressed into a tablet on a laboratory press.

Comparative Example E

Trichlor (95 wt. %)+BA (5 wt. %) tablet: The materials were blended,compressed and comminuted to provide co-compacted granules. Theco-compacted granules were subsequently compressed into a tablet on alaboratory press.

The dissolution rate of these tablets was determined as described aboveexcept the flow rate was 32 gpm. The test results for ComparativeExamples C-E are set forth below in Table IV and FIG. 2.

TABLE IV Effect of Boric Acid on Trichlor Dissolution (6 oz. Tablet)Tablet Weight, g Comp. Ex. 0 hr 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs Comp. Ex. C 170.56137.97 50.50 1.70 Comp. Ex. D 170.47 117.08 15.30 0.00 Comp. Ex. E170.67 117.43 14.85 0.00

As the dissolution data show, the tablets of Comparative Examples D andE containing trichlor and boric acid exhibited a significant increase inthe dissolution rate compared to the tablet of Comparative C containingtrichlor alone. The data further showed that there is no effect ontablet dissolution when either a blending processing method orco-compaction processing method is used in preparing the tablets ofComparative Examples D and E.

Comparative Examples F-H

This example compares the effect of different boron compounds on thedissolution of a tablet containing trichlor. For these experiments,three 8 oz. tablets of the following compositions were made in thelaboratory:

Comparative Example F

Trichlor (100 wt. %) tablet: Trichlor in granular form was compressedinto tablet on a laboratory press.

Comparative Example G

Trichlor (95 wt. %)+BA (5 wt. %) tablet: The materials were blended andcompressed into a tablet on a laboratory press.

Comparative Example H

Trichlor (95 wt. %)+borax (5 wt. %) tablet: The materials were blended,compressed and comminuted to provide co-compacted granules. Theco-compacted granules were subsequently compressed into a tablet on alaboratory press.

The dissolution rate of these tablets was determined as described aboveexcept the pump flow rate was 33 gpm. The test results for ComparativeExamples F-H are set forth below in Table V and FIG. 3.

TABLE V Effect of Boron Compounds on Trichlor Dissolution (8 oz. Tablet)Tablet Weight, g Comp. Ex. 0 hr 24 hrs 48 hrs Comp. Ex. F 227.79 174.53124.37 Comp. Ex. G 227.31 147.45 86.79 Comp. Ex. H 228.01 137.39 71.61

As the dissolution data show, the addition of a boron compound totrichlor increased the dissolution of the tablet (Comparative Examples Gand H) as compared to the tablet containing trichlor alone (ComparativeExample F).

Comparative Example I

Trichlor tablets (8 oz.) were prepared in substantially the same manneras in Comparative Example A.

Example 2

A solid compressed tablet was prepared from trichlor (95 wt. %), SHMP (4wt. %) and BA (1 wt. %). First, trichlor and SHMP were blended togetherand then compressed and comminuted to provide co-compacted granules. Theco-compacted granules were blended with BA in a V-blender and thensubsequently compressed into 8 oz. tablets on a commercial press.

Example 3

This example illustrates that the solid water compositions of thepresent invention reduce off-gassing. Chlorine off-gassing wasdetermined for 37 commercial production lots of the tablets ofComparative Example 1 and 12 tablets of Example 2. The chlorineoff-gassing of the tablets of Comparative Example I and the tablets ofExample 2 were predicted by heating a 20 g sample in a sealed ampoule at60° C.±2° C. for 2 hours and determining the chlorine content in thesample headspace by gas chromatography. The results are set forth belowin Table VI and FIG. 4.

TABLE VI Comp. Ex./Ex. Chlorine off-gassing, % Std. Dev. Comp. Ex. I1.1047 0.2224 Example 2 0.5730 0.1502

As the data show, a significant decrease in chlorine off-gassing can beobtained by using the tablet of Example 2 (within the scope of thepresent invention) as compared to the tablet of Comparative Example I(outside the scope of the present invention), i.e., 0.57% versus 1.10%.The difference in the chlorine off-gassing is a decrease of 48% which isan order of magnitude greater than would be expected from the relativelysmall decrease in trichlor concentration by the addition of SHMP (4 wt.%) and BA (1%).

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing description, the same is to be considered illustrative and notrestrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferredembodiment has been shown and described and that all changes andmodifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desiredto be protected.

1. A solid water treatment composition comprising (a) ahalogen-containing source; (b) a boron-containing source; and (c) apolyphosphate-containing source.
 2. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 1, wherein the halogen-containing source comprisesone or more of a halogenated triazinetrione, halogenated hydantoin,calcium hypochlorite and lithium hypochlorite.
 3. The solid watertreatment composition of claim 1, wherein the halogen-containing sourcecomprises one or more of a trichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodiumdichloro-s-triazinetrione and potassium dichloro-s-triazinetrione. 4.The solid water treatment composition of claim 1, wherein thehalogen-containing source comprises trichloro-s-triazinetrione.
 5. Thesolid water treatment composition of claim 1, wherein theboron-containing source comprises one or more of boric acid or boricoxide.
 6. The solid water treatment composition of claim 1, wherein thepolyphosphate-containing source comprises one or more of sodiumhexametaphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate andsodium pyrophosphate.
 7. The solid water treatment composition of claim1, wherein the halogen-containing source comprisestrichloro-s-triazinetrione, the boron-containing source comprises boricacid and the polyphosphate-containing source comprises sodiumhexametaphosphate.
 8. The solid water treatment composition of claim 1,wherein the halogen-containing source is present in the composition inan amount of about 65 to about 98 weight percent, based on the totalweight of the composition.
 9. The solid water treatment composition ofclaim 1, wherein the halogen-containing source is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 85 to about 95 weight percent, basedon the total weight of the composition.
 10. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 1, wherein the boron-containing source is presentin the composition in an amount of about 0.2 to about 2.5 weightpercent, based on the total weight of the composition.
 11. The solidwater treatment composition of claim 1, wherein the boron-containingsource is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.5 to about1.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. 12.The solid water treatment composition of claim 1, wherein thepolyphosphate-containing source is present in the composition in anamount of about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on the total weightof the composition.
 13. The solid water treatment composition of claim1, wherein the polyphosphate-containing source is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 4 to about 7 weight percent, based onthe total weight of the composition.
 14. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 1, in the form of a tablet, puck or a stick. 15.The solid water treatment composition of claim 1, wherein thehalogen-containing source is present in the composition in an amount ofabout 85 to about 95 weight percent, the boron-containing source ispresent in the composition in an amount of about 0.2 to about 2.5 weightpercent, and the polyphosphate-containing source is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based onthe total weight of the composition. 16-25. (canceled)
 26. A solid watertreatment composition comprising (a) about 65 to about 98 weight percentof a N-halogenated compound; (b) a boron-containing source; and (c) apolyphosphate-containing source.
 27. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 26, wherein the N-halogenated compound comprisesone or more of a halogenated triazinetrione or a halogenated hydantoin.28. The solid water treatment composition of claim 27, wherein theN-halogenated compound comprises one or more of atrichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione andpotassium dichloro-s-triazinetrione.
 29. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 28, wherein the N-halogenated compound comprisestrichloro-s-triazinetrione.
 30. The solid water treatment composition ofclaim 26, wherein the boron-containing source comprises one or more ofboric acid or boric oxide.
 31. The solid water treatment composition ofclaim 26, wherein the polyphosphate-containing source comprises one ormore of sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodiumtripolyphosphate and sodium pyrophosphate.
 32. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 26, wherein the N-halogenated compound comprisestrichloro-s-triazinetrione, the boron-containing source comprises boricacid and the polyphosphate-containing source comprises sodiumhexametaphosphate.
 33. The solid water treatment composition of claim26, wherein the N-halogenated compound is present in the composition inan amount of about 85 to about 95 weight percent, the boron-containingsource is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.2 to about2.5 weight percent, and the polyphosphate-containing source is presentin the composition in an amount of about 1 to about 10 weight percent,based on the total weight of the composition.
 34. A solid watertreatment composition comprising (a) about 65 to about 98 weight percentof trichloro-s-triazinetrione, (b) a boron-containing source; and (c) apolyphosphate-containing source.
 35. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 34, wherein the boron-containing source comprisesone or more of boric acid or boric oxide.
 36. The solid water treatmentcomposition of claim 34, wherein the polyphosphate-containing sourcecomprises one or more of sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium polyphosphate,sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium pyrophosphate.
 37. The solid watertreatment composition of claim 34, wherein the boron-containing sourcecomprises boric acid and the polyphosphate-containing source comprisessodium hexametaphosphate.
 38. The solid water treatment composition ofclaim 34, wherein the trichloro-s-triazinetrione is present in thecomposition in an amount of about 85 to about 95 weight percent, theboron-containing source is present in the composition in an amount ofabout 0.2 to about 2.5 weight percent, and the polyphosphate-containingsource is present in the composition in an amount of about 1 to about 10weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.
 39. Asolid water treatment composition comprising from about 65 to about 98weight percent trichloro-s-triazinetrione, from about 0.2 to about 2.5weight percent boric acid, and from about 1 to about 10 weight percentsodium hexametaphosphate, based on the total weight of the composition.40. The solid water treatment composition of claim 39, wherein thetrichloro-s-triazinetrione is present in an amount of about 85 to about95 weight percent.
 41. The solid water treatment composition of claim39, wherein the boric acid is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about1.5 weight percent.
 42. The solid water treatment composition of claim39, wherein the sodium hexametaphosphate is present in an amount ofabout 4 to about 7 weight percent.